May 19, 1897 was the birthday of the second most famous American pilot in WWI.
Frank Luke was a fighter pilot who became known as “The Arizona Balloon-Buster” for his specialty of shooting down German observation balloons. These hot-air balloons were raised on cables to give a vantage over Allied lines. The observer sat in a basket hanging from the balloon. It was dangerous work, but they usually had a parachute and if any danger lurked, the balloon could be cranked down. Since the balloons were spying on you, they were an important target. Being filled with helium, they were very flammable, but they were well defended by anti-aircraft guns and sometimes German fighter planes. Many Allied fighter pilots refused to risk their lives going after them, even though destroying one counted the same as shooting down a plane as far as victories in the air were concerned. Luke was fearless and set the record for most balloons shot down. Here was his greatest exploit. On Sept. 18, 1918, he was flying over St. Mihiel during the offensive. He had set out alone to attack two balloons. The approach was dangerous because the balloons were protected by machine guns and anti-aircraft artillery. Plus there were six German fighters waiting in ambush. Luke destroyed one balloon on his first pass. He then became aware of three of the German planes. He attacked them head-on and shot down two. The third tried to escape and Luke gave chase. He altered course slightly to flame the second balloon. He then caught up with the third German plane and shot it down. He had achieved five victories in eight minutes. Eventually, his luck ran out and he was forced to crash land. Pulling a pistol, he had vowed not to be taken alive. German soldiers shot him as he opened fire. He finished with 18 kills – 14 balloons and 4 planes. He achieved this in ten missions over an eight day period! He was the first American airman to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Here is the citation:
After having previously destroyed a number of enemy aircraft within 17 days he voluntarily started on a patrol after German observation balloons. Though pursued by 8 German planes which were protecting the enemy balloon line, he unhesitatingly attacked and shot down in flames 3 German balloons, being himself under heavy fire from ground batteries and the hostile planes. Severely wounded, he descended to within 50 meters of the ground and flying at this low altitude near the town of Murvaux opened fire upon enemy troops, killing 6 and wounding as many more. Forced to make a landing and surrounded on all sides by the enemy, who called upon him to surrender, he drew his automatic pistol and defended himself gallantly until he fell dead from a wound in the chest.
from The Doughboys and Wikipedia
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